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Making A Difference

A large crowd of people are seated at tables under a clear tent decorated with string lights, while a panel discussion takes place on a stage in the background.

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Be Inspired. Be the Difference.

Making a Difference is Mercy High School’s annual scholarship benefit, dedicated to ensuring that every young woman who wants a Mercy education has the opportunity to receive one.

Since its inception in 2004, our Making a Difference scholarship benefit has transformed the lives of more than 2,000 students, providing essential financial support to families who otherwise could not afford tuition. With 47% of our students receiving financial aid, and 60% of those students coming from low-income households, your generosity sustains the Mercy mission and opens doors to countless opportunities. Whether you join us for this gala-style celebration in our historic Kohl Mansion or make a gift in support of the event, you help empower young women to grow in courage, curiosity, and compassion.

We can never say it is enough.

- Foundress Catherine McAuley

A woman in a teal dress speaks at a podium with a %22Mercy%22 logo, while another woman in a black top and floral skirt stands to her right, against a backdrop of blue curtains.
In the foreground, people raise auction paddles at tables, while in the background, a large screen displays auction information.
Two women stand on a stage with a podium in front of a purple curtain, one speaking into a microphone and the other holding a bouquet of red roses.
A group of eight women pose for a photo at a table set for dinner, with a white double door and greenery in the background.
A young woman in a school uniform speaks at a podium adorned with a school logo, with blue curtains and floral arrangements in the background.
A choir of young women in blue dresses stands on a stage with floral arrangements in the foreground, while a woman speaks at a podium behind them, all set against a dark blue curtain and trees in the background.

 

 

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Board of Directors

Every year, Mercy's Board of Directors plays an invaluable role in the success of Making A Difference. 

Mary Schaffer Kircher ’78, Board Chair
Catherine Dunleavy Rosaia ’72, P’99 G’29, Vice Chair
Jamie Jweinat Lechleitner ’02,  Secretary
Bob Grassilli, Treasurer
William Armanino, Jr.
Christopher Denten, Esq. P ’23
Bart Gaul P ’12
Lisa Larratt P ’14 P ’20 P ’22
Tricia Arana Mifsud ’91
Anne Murphy, RSM, ’69
Patricia Waugh O’Connor P ’22
Joan Marie O’Donnell, RSM, SF ’59
Jennifer Estrella Peneyra ’93
Meghan Chavez Railey ’04
Caroline Romeo P ’14
Catherine Dunleavy Rosaia ’72, P’99 G’29, Vice Chair
Kathy Barulich Ryan, SF ’78
Jeanine Thorpe ’86
Alison Vorsatz ’98

Guest Members

Penny Stack Alexander ’78
Patrick Ruff
Barry Thornton
Randy Wong, M.D., P ’12

Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan  Ed.D.'02,
Head of School

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Making A Difference
Steering Committee

Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan ’02, Ed.D.
Gina Rosaia Collins ’99
Tami Cirigliano Guglielmina
Mary Schaffer Kircher ’78
Jamie Jweinat Lechleitner ’02
Joann Mahaffey
Niki Rodrigues Nielsen
Patricia Waugh O’Connor, P ’22
Martha Phillips, P ’25
Caroline Romeo, P ’14
Catherine Dunleavy Rosaia ’72, P ’99
Jackie Svedise

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Making A Difference 2026
Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors - $25,000+

Robert Stewart Odell and Helen Pfeiffer Odell Fund
Outrageous Foundation
Sisters of Mercy - Institute Office of Ministry
Kathleen Wuerth Sonnabend ’70
 
Gold Sponsors - $10,000+

Bengier Foundation
Drum Foundation
Kirata Samthong and
Thomas Culligan III, P '28
Koch Foundation

Silver Sponsors - $5,000+

Penny Stack Alexander ’78 and Matthew Alexander
Raymond and Janelle Gale
Bob Grassilli
Frank and Susan Kerler Kennedy '64
Caroline and Charlie Romeo, P ’14
Catherine Dunleavy Rosaia ’72 and Wayne Rosaia
Jeanine Thorpe '86 and David Schellhase
Greg and Liz Vaughan
 
Bronze Sponsors - $3,500+

David and Maria Collins, P '15
Dr. and Mrs. Scott Milliken

Mercy Table Sponsors - $1,950+

Natalie Cirigliano Brosnan ’02, Ed.D. and Neil Brosnan
Elizabeth F. Caserza '77
Rachael Clausen SF '84
Gina Rosaia Collins ’98 and James Collins
Kristine Furrer Crouch '82
Maggie and Andrew Demkin, P'26
Chris and Mary Denten, P ’23
Mary Schaffer Kircher ’78 and Matthew Kircher
Joseph & Lisa Larratt
Richard and Jamie Jweinat Lechleitner '02
Mary and Lars Lund, P '06, 08
Kim and Brian Manca, P '25
Mercy Education System
Mercy San Francisco Alumni Association
Niki Rodrigues Nielsen and Erik Nielsen
Jennifer Estrella Peneyra '93
Dr. Mario and Mrs. Katherine Lacunza Pompili '78
Meghan Chavez Railey '04 and Joey Railey
Serra High School
Sisters of Mercy Burlingame
Martha Phillips and Al Taira, P '25

Blue and White Sponsors - $1,500+

Valerie Armento
James and Laura Gillard Blue '85
Bart and Carol Cafferkey Gaul '85
Clare Purpura
Manetti Shrem Foundation
Megan and Ryan Vernali P'29
Claire and Warren Woo, P ’25

Friends of Mercy - $500+

Muffy Bailey, P'29
Kelli Benz
A.J. and Mary Lou Bisagno Flocchini '52
Michael and Mary Bollier Carp '77
Dorothy and Edward Collins
Angelos and Patricia Ivancich Dassios '97, P’26, 30
Devcon Construction
Richard and Gina DeRanieri Wiebe '84
Bernadette Eichensehr '76
Patricia Flanagan '65
Larry Furey/Trento Ventures
Benjamin and Lisa Garosi, P'29
George and Margot Fourie Giusti '70
Jean and Yolanda Gorostiague
Nicole Howard Piccetti '71
Christian and Jacqueline Legorreta Erdman '75
William and Catherine Mariani, P '12
John and Janette McAfee, P '26
Patricia Waugh O’Connor, P’22 
Lorraine Welch Paul
Partners in Mission
Laura and Patrick Reilly, Jr., P'19, '21
Katherine Ryan
Sharon Santini Tallon '69

In-Kind Sponsors

All About Parking 
Century Rental Tents 
Christensen & Rafferty Fine Jewelry
East Bay Audio Visual 
Fuji Japanese Whiskey 
Sapore Italiano 
Thomas Fogerty 
Toast Catering

Contact

Advancement Office
650-762-1190

advancement@mercyhsb.com

Tax Information

 

Mercy High School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

(Tax ID: 94-1230999)